Did You Know...
...Chester Carlson was a patent agent who tired of having to make multiple copies of patent applications using the only duplication method available at the time: carbon paper. In 1959 he came up with a new copying system and took it to IBM for evaluation. The "experts" at IBM determined potential sales to be only 5,000 units because people wouldn't want to use a bulky machine when they had carbon paper. Carlson's invention was the xerography process, the company founded on the system is Xerox.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8054456 | Method and system for detecting retroreflectors An optical device that may include a sighting portion including an optical axis; an electromagnetic beam source coupled to said sighting portion, electromagnetic beam source facilitates generating a source beam including an axis that is substantially parallel to sai... | 11/08/2011 |
| 7843557 | Method and system for detecting retroreflectors An optical device that may include a sighting portion including an optical axis; an electromagnetic beam source coupled to said sighting portion, electromagnetic beam source facilitates generating a source beam including an axis that is substantially parallel to sai... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7808628 | Method for nanoscale spatial registration of scanning probes with substrates and surfaces Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for aligning a scanning probe used to pattern a substrate, by comparing the position of the probe to a reference location or spot on the substrate. A first light beam is focused o... | 10/05/2010 |
| 7589831 | Method and apparatus for checking stator core alignment In one embodiment the present invention provides for a method for checking the alignment of a stator core that comprises placing a laser source 14 and a target 18 a given distance apart on a stator core 10 and activating the laser such that the ... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7486390 | Device and process for alignment of machines, machine parts or other technical articles The process as claimed in the invention for alignment of machines, machine elements or the like, especially of pipes or hollow cylinders is carried out by means of the pertinent devices such that in one of two measurement phases with the light transmitting and recei... | 02/03/2009 |
| 7456945 | Photonic device package with aligned lens cap A photonic device package with a passively aligned lens cap is disclosed. The lens cap is positioned with an unobstructed view of the lens portion of the lens cap. A header holding a photonic device, is moved relative to the cap or vice versa until the video display... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7443505 | Optical alignment method and apparatus In disclosed optical alignment method and apparatus thereof, external reflection entering laser diode by feedback from transmission line of low cost bidirectional optical transceiver module without optical isolator for subscribers is reduced so as to reduce RIN cons... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7384008 | Laser alignment system for a mechanized irrigation system A laser alignment system is provided for a mechanized irrigation system with the laser alignment system being operatively connected to the drive tower motors of the irrigation system to maintain the spans of the irrigation system in alignment. ... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7369334 | Optical device with alignment compensation An optical device is provided which includes a plurality of optical modules and an alignment compensation module. Each optical module includes an optical component fixedly coupled to a relative reference mount. The relative reference mount is configured to attach to... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7360895 | Simplified ocular fundus auto imager An ocular fundus imager automatically aligns fundus illuminating rays to enter the pupil and to prevent corneal reflections from obscuring the fundus image produced. Focusing the produced fundus image is automatically performed using a pair of video sensors and is b... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7350309 | Extendable spacer device A spacer device for laser-optical measurement of hollow cylinders has at least two, preferably three arms which are coupled or interlaced with one another and which can be moved relative to one another. Each of the arms has a measurement roller on one end which is b... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7336433 | Focusable laser collimator A laser collimator includes an optical lens having an optical axis; a sliding lens holder for housing the lens having a longitudinal opening parallel to the optical axis; a stationary lens holder ring for fitting to the front of the sliding lens holder and having a ... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7336009 | Hobby servo enhancements An independent and modular apparatus is disclosed for extending the operational capacity of a servo motor. The apparatus includes a frame member having a servo motor and a rotatable shaft mounted therein. The output shaft of the servo motor and the rotatable shaft a... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7334947 | Alignment system and method The present invention provides an alignment system comprising a base having a feature that accepts a first optical element, a first eccentric element having a through hole that accepts an eccentric assembly comprising a second eccentric element having a feature that... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7333199 | Aligning optical components with three degrees of translational freedom The principles of the present invention relate to aligning optical components with three degrees of translational freedom. A lens pin, a lens base, and a molded package are aligned in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction such that the signal ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7330247 | Apparatus and method for connecting optical waveguides Apparatus and method which adjusts an optical connection between a waveguide and an optical interconnection component that launches light into the waveguide or receives light emitted from the waveguide. The apparatus includes: an excitation light element emitting li... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7322252 | Apparatus for taking measurements in access manholes An apparatus for measuring the location and annular orientation of pipe inverts and other features in manholes. An elongate, telescoping rod is supported centrally in the manhole opening by a pivot assembly that permits the rod to both rotate in the horizontal plane... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7322751 | Apparatus and method for orienting an optical waveguide in relation to an optical unit of an optical module The invention relates to an apparatus and method for orienting an optical waveguide in relation to an optical unit arranged in or on an optical module. The optical module has a reference geometry which defines a first axis of symmetry. An offset between the optical ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7320237 | Method for measuring misalignment of continuance mill and apparatus for measuring the same While a reference means having a positional relationship to the pass-line of a continuance mill determined in advance and caliber profile (area enclosed by the groove profile of a rolling roll) formed by a rolling roll at each stand are imaged within the same visual... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7321114 | Apparatus and method for beam drift compensation An apparatus and method for maintaining a desired position of a collimated light beam are provided. An optical system includes one or more passive optical elements movably positioned in the beam path. Beam position is responsive to movement of at least one of the pa... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7321706 | Optical fiber coupler A fiber coupler for coupling light into an optical fiber and/or coupling light out of the fiber, has two holder elements, namely a fiber holder for holding the fiber, and a lens holder for holding a focusing lens. The holder elements are adjustable in the axial and ... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7313885 | Alignment device for telescopic sight mounts An alignment device for telescopic sight mounts (101) utilizes a front alignment portion (103) and a rear alignment portion (105) installed on a firearm 405. A front bushing (109), clamped in a front mount assembly (401) of ... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7315374 | Real-time monitoring optically trapped carbon nanotubes An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to monitor carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A carbon nanotube (CNT) is manipulated in a fluid by a laser beam. An illuminating light from a light source is aligned along axis of the CNT to produce an optical response fro... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7312871 | Method and apparatus for alignment of components A method and apparatus for measuring the relative positions of first and second components, comprising: mounting first and second measurement units on respective housings forming part of each component and which are rotatably arranged and infinitely adjustable there... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7312864 | Measurement device and process for determining the straightness of hollow cylindrical or hollow conical bodies and their orientation relative to one another Device for determining the straightness of hollow cylindrical surfaces and partial surfaces thereof, and the three-dimensional orientation of several hollow cylindrical surfaces or partial surfaces with reference to at least one of axial parallel offset and angular ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7312861 | Method and apparatus for measuring the angular orientation between two surfaces A device and method are disclosed that measure the relative angular orientation between two surfaces. Two frames are mounted on the two surfaces to be measured. One frame has a collimated light source and a measuring scale. The other frame has a mirror. The collimat... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7304738 | Method for actively aligning an optoelectronic device A method for actively aligning the components of an optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device includes a first portion containing a laser and a second portion containing an optical element. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic device is a laser package havin... | 12/04/2007 |
| 7302136 | Assembly of optical components and method for assembling same An assembly is disclosed for optical components, the assembly comprising: a platform for receiving and supporting a plurality of carrier components having optical components mounted thereon; carrier component receiving stations formed on the platform, each of the st... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7285884 | Hobby servo attachment mechanisms An apparatus for extending the operational capacity of a servo motor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame member. A first aperture is defined within the frame member and is configured to support a servo motor. A servo motor is positioned within the first ape... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7277641 | Multiple access space communications optical system using a common telescope aperture The present invention relates to a multiple access space laser communications optical system. According to the present invention, multiple optical signals containing a number of channels are simultaneously received and demultiplexed at a multiple access communicatio... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7275295 | True vehicle running center shaft assembly system A system for assembling a vehicle drive shaft is provided with the steps of installing yokes on respective ends of a drive shaft tube, each yoke having first and second bores therethrough for receiving respective distal ends of respective spider arrangements, and ro... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7277467 | Externally aligned laser module Disclosed is a laser module case having a snout disposed within a wall of the case, wherein the snout may allow alignment of a laser with an optical fiber after closure of the case. The snout has an inner end, outer end and longitudinal hollow. An optical fiber asse... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7273281 | Method and apparatus for aligning a plurality of lasers in an electronic display device A method and apparatus are provided to compensate for variations in the alignment of a plurality of lasers 102, 104, 106. A controller 142 varies the time at which the lasers 102, 104, 106 are energized so that the laser light emitted therefrom ... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7265840 | Coupling method for coupling high power optical beams into an optical waveguide A method for determining an improved alignment to couple a beam having a high power level into a waveguide. The power of the beam is reduced to a minimum test power level. The reduced-power beam is aligned in a test alignment such that it forms a beam spot on the co... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7262841 | Laser alignment for ion source An apparatus and method for aligning a laser beam in an ion source. A mounting member has a first end, a second end, and an axis. An awl is positioned on the axis and operably connected to the first end. A biasing member is arranged to urge the awl along the axis wh... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7257920 | Aiming device The present invention comprises a reflective surface used in conjunction with an aiming device that provides the user targeting information on a surface directly on the aiming device. The reflective surface is moveably mounted directly behind the aiming device, wher... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7242465 | Device and process for quantitative assessment of the orientation of two machines relative to one another A device for quantitative assessment of the orientation of two machines relative to one another has auxiliary devices in the form of extenders or holding devices (40, 50) on which displacement and/or mounting of light transmitting or receiving devices (44,... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7241103 | Method and system for adjusting a position of an object According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a position of an object to compensate for tilt includes providing a rotatable base supporting an object and directing the object relative to the base such that the position of the object is... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7233359 | Image sensing apparatus having image signals generated from light between optical elements of an optical element array It is an object of this invention to realize an image sensing apparatus which satisfies both the requirements for focus detection performance and high-resolution, high image quality. In order to achieve this object, there is provided an image sensing apparatus chara... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7230960 | Tunable external cavity laser with adjustable cavity length and mode-hop suppression Tunable external cavity lasers are used in applications such as interferometry, FM spectroscopy, and optical communications equipment testing. Mode hop free high bandwidth frequency modulation operation is desired in a tunable external cavity laser. This application... | 06/12/2007 |
